Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase scientific and medical research into long covid; and if he will make a statement.

We have invested more than £50 million for research into the long-term effects of COVID-19. This includes £38.6 million awarded to 19 projects commissioned through two research calls.

The National Institute for Health Research continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including post-COVID-19 syndrome. It is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.